MD Complete by Dr. Brian Zelickson Free Clarifying Cleanser Reward
Works for
CleansingSodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine + 4 moreCleanses gently
“Free Clarifying Cleanser Reward”
This product works by removing dirt and oil from the surface of the skin. It uses a combination of mild cleansing agents (cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropylamine oxide, glycol stearate, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate) and should be able to cleanse the skin gently. Still keep in mind that any cleansing can disrupt the skin barrier, and most people do not need to cleanse their skin more than once per day.
Even though this formulation is mild, the following cleansing agents could trigger an irritation or allergy for some people: cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate
ExfoliationPapain, Lactic acidNot delivered
“Natural skin-nurturing botanicals and Salicylic Acid (2%) work synergistically to exfoliate dead skin cells and remove impurities that can clog pores.”
This product might help exfoliate the skin with papain, but This ingredient is not the most effective.
Anti-blemishGinkgo biloba leaf extractNot delivered
“Natural skin-nurturing botanicals and Salicylic Acid (2%) work synergistically to exfoliate dead skin cells and remove impurities that can clog pores.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Parfum, Diazolidinyl urea + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
C10-30 alkyl peg-20 itaconate~11–14%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate~6.3–7.7%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and used as a cleansing agent. Can be irritating and is better avoided for sensitive skin
More about Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonateCocamidopropyl betaine~5–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps water and oil mix together. Used as a cleansing ingredient. Could be an allergen
More about Cocamidopropyl betaineSodium lauroyl sarcosinate~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together and works as a cleansing agent
More about Sodium lauroyl sarcosinateGlycol stearate~2.5–3.1%
Sodium citrate~2.2–2.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps to control the skin's pH level. Maintains the skin's natural film of amino-lactic acids and oils. Helps to preserve products
More about Sodium citrateCocamidopropylamine oxide~1.9–2.3%
Linoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Parfum~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumGlycerin~0.9–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinLactic acid~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidTetrasodium edta~0.65–0.95%
Ascorbic acid~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging
More about Ascorbic acidPanthenol~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolDiazolidinyl urea~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Works by releasing formaldehyde. Can be irritating
More about Diazolidinyl ureaAmmonium hydroxide~0.55–0.85%
Algae extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Plant extract that helps the skin to attract water and make it more smooth for touch. Also shows promise of anti-aging properties, but research is not extensive yet
More about Algae extractPanax ginseng root extract~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might have some anti-inflammatory properties, but solid evidence is lacking. It can be irritating
More about Panax ginseng root extractGinkgo biloba leaf extract~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation in skin. It can be irritating
More about Ginkgo biloba leaf extractCamellia oleifera leaf extract~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation, even though it is not usually used in sufficient concentration in cosmetics
More about Camellia oleifera leaf extractBisabolol~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololCola acuminata seed extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A plant extract that might have some anti-oxidant properties, but research is missing
More about Cola acuminata seed extractLecithin~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPropylene glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolMethylchloroisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Is a frequent allergen in cosmetics
More about MethylchloroisothiazolinoneMethylisothiazolinone~0.00075–0.0015%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.2%
Phenoxyethanol~0.1–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPapain~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
An enzyme extracted from papaya fruit. Can have an exfoliating effect on the skin. Can be irritating
More about PapainIngredient list view
Water, Unknown, C10-30 alkyl peg-20 itaconate, Sodium c14-16 olefin sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, Glycol stearate, Sodium citrate, Cocamidopropylamine oxide, Linoleamidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate, Parfum, Glycerin, Lactic acid, Tetrasodium edta, Ascorbic acid, Panthenol, Diazolidinyl urea, Ammonium hydroxide, Algae extract, Panax ginseng root extract, Ginkgo biloba leaf extract, Camellia oleifera leaf extract, Bisabolol, Cola acuminata seed extract, Lecithin, Propylene glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Tocopheryl acetate, Sodium hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Papain
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| MD Complete by Dr. Brian ZelicksonFree Clarifying Cleanser RewardYOUR PRODUCT | megababeSpace Bar Detoxifying Charcoal Underarm Bar | DCLActive Mattifying Cleanser | SanexZero % Sensitive Skin Shower Gel | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 55% | 44% | 43% |
| Price | — | $15.94 | $32.00 | $1.53 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 1 of 14 | 9 of 14 | 4 of 14 |
| Key difference | — | Glycolic Acid | Salicylic Acid | Poloxamer 124 |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing GelPCA SKIN Facial Wash
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Final Report On the Safety Assessment of Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonatesjournals.sagepub.com
- 2
- 3Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 5Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 6
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